African Agricultural R&D Investments and Capacities: Trends and Challenges

Presentation at the IFPRI Policy Seminar “African Agricultural Research and Development: Progress, Challenges, Opportunities”

Washington, DC – April 7, 2011

Nienke BeintemaHead, Agricultural S&T Indicators (ASTI) initiative,

IFPRI-Rome office

■ Trends since 2001■ Key investment challenges■ Key human resource capacity challenges■ Recommended action points

Outline

■ R&D is a major contributor to economic growth and poverty reduction

■ Greater investments in R&D are crucial for productivity growth in SSA

■ Monitoring and benchmarking inputs, outputs, and performance of agricultural R&D is essential■ NEPAD target: Allocation of at least 1 percent of GDP to

R&D

Importance of Agricultural R&D

Investment and Capacity Trends in Africa

■ Overall, agricultural R&D investments and capacity increased by 20 percent during 2001-08

■ .

Main Drivers of Spending Growth, 2001-08

■ Growth occurred in a few countries and focused on boosting low salaries and rehabilitating infrastructure/equipment.

Who is Lagging Behind?

■ 2001-08 marked by decline in 13 countries (including many in francophone West Africa). Decline started in 1990s for some.

Investment Challenge: Underinvestment

■ In 2008, only 8 countries invested more than 1% of their AgGDP in agricultural R&D.

0 20 40 60 80 100

Benin (INRAB)Burundi (ISABU)

Rwanda (ISAR)Burkina Faso (INERA, IRSAT, CNSF)

Uganda (NARO)Mali (IER)

Mozambique (IIAM, IIP)Eritrea (NARI)

Madagascar (FOFIFA)Guinea (IRAG)

Donors, development banks, and SROs Government OtherShare of total funding

Investment Challenge: High Donor-Dependency

■ Many countries are extremely dependent on donor funding and development bank loans.

0

5

10

15

20

25

1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007Government Donors, development banks, and SROsOther

Milli

on 20

05 PP

P doll

ars

Investment Challenge: Volatility

■ Donor and government funding has been highly volatile, making viable research programs difficult.

0

5

10

15

20

25

1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007Government Donors, development banks, and SROsOther

Milli

on 20

05 PP

P doll

ars INRAN, NigerZARI, Zambia

24% 27%

47% 43%

29% 30%

0

20

40

60

80

100

2001 2008

Shar

es o

f FTE

rese

arch

ers (

%)

BSc MSc PhD

Capacity Challenge: Decreasing Qualifications

■ Shares of BSc-qualified staff have increased in some countries since 2000.

Capacity Challenge: Influx of Young Researchers

■ Large influx of young scientists with BSc degrees, who need adequate training opportunities and mentoring.

0 20 40 60 80 100

UgandaZambia

South AfricaBotswana

MalawiEthiopia

< 31 years 31–40 years 41-50 years > 50 years

Shares of full–time equivalent researchers (%)

0 20 40 60 80 100

NigerNigeriaGhana

Burkina FasoKenya

Senegal

< 31 years 31–40 years 41-50 years > 50 years

Shares of full–time equivalent researchers (%)

Capacity Challenge: High Staff Turnover

■ Many researchers left agencies due to low salaries/conditions of service. Many retired – more will retire in coming years.

Key Areas that Governments, Donors, and Other Stakeholders Must Address

■ Providing higher and more stable funding levels

■ Addressing existing and imminent challenges in human resource capacity

■ Maximizing regional and subregional cooperation in agricultural R&D

Thank you

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